Goodwill thanks community

This past month, following a harsh winter that chilled donations by 7 percent statewide, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky launched a "March Gladness" campaign and the Louisville community really responded. We are pleased to report that donations increased by 9 percent during the month of March! The generosity of our donors allows us to provide job training and job counseling to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment.

Donations to Goodwill stay local, providing jobs right here in Louisville. In fiscal year 2013, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky employed nearly 1,200 Kentuckians, placed 2,470 in jobs, and paid almost $18 million in wages to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment—thanks to your tax-deductible donations.

In addition to operating 63 donated goods centers statewide, which provide jobs and hands-on training, Goodwill offers employment counseling, adult literacy programs, and job search and resume-writing help. March Gladness is a great example of why we love our donors, who really stepped up during a difficult time!

DR. MARSHA BERRY

Vice-President, Beargrass Division

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

Louisville 40208

Baptist influence

The recent Courier-Journal report about Baptists and their influence in politics gives a wonderful insight into many of the problems with Kentucky. There is a clear line in U.S. law about the separation of church and state. Lawmakers — Baptist or otherwise — should not influence public policy. Baptists are notoriously discriminatory and many downright hypocritical. It is an outrage that the rights of gays and lesbian citizens would be denied by religious zealots. And, go to any nearby casino, and you will no doubt find many Baptists smoking, drinking and dumping money into slots and at gaming tables.

ROBERT J. WESTWOOD

Louisville 40222

Payments at U of L

Top lawyer for University of Louisville gets bottom line $346K payment.

"Quiet" payments seem to be the norm at the University of Louisville.

Angela Koshewa has apparently questioned some proposals backed by President James Ramsey and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. David Dunn. The latter had oversight of the director of family and geriatric medicine (recently indicted for fraud).

Ms. Koshewa has graciously agreed to resign in return for a payout. Vice President Michael Curtin has drawn a $250K payment as has Vice President Larry Owsley. Thanks a billion!

Are there more cards to be dealt?

U of L's website letter from the president states, "University of Louisville continues to be a model of transparency and will continue to be accountable…" Paying people for silence hardly promotes transparency!